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So we're a little over a month from the season .... LA_Mustang brought up the guys' team, but I'm excited about the women's team, too. It's going to be tough to replace Janielle Dodds, of course, and Sharee Shepherd and Katy Cobb, too.

Post
Starter: Christine Elliott
Backup: Alice Severin
Severin is a stud on the boards and defense, but the need for offense probably will put Elliott in the starting role soon, if not from the opener. She's supposedly kicking but in the informal games.

Power forward
Starter: Delisha Wills
Backup: Elbie Gates
Wills is the team's best all-around player. If she was a couple of inches taller, we never would have kept her out of the Big 12, or some similar conference. She's probably the best overall athlete we've had in years.

Small forward
Starter: Haley Day
Backup: Alicia Mitcham
Day is a former high school legend with a lot of energy and hustle. She won't score a ton, but she'll get a lot of rebounds and do the dirty work all day. Mitcham is supposed to be an amazing athlete, from what I've heard, so she'll get some playing time.

Shooting guard
Starter: Brittany Gilliam
Backup: Samantha Mahnesmith
Gilliam is a natural scorer and a great passer. I'd like to see her get stronger so she can crash the boards more, and I'd like to see a little more on the defensive end, but she's an excellent player who needs to be on the floor.

Point guard
Starter: Jillian Samuels
Backup: LaShandra Hill
Samuels is a tough veteran, a smart team leader, and the best shooter in Conference USA.

If Elliott really can tear it up inside like you all say, I'd really like to see Delisha Wills get more points, and maybe an All-CUSA nod.

I'd say Samuels has a chance, too, the way she can hit the 3.

I've been told Alicia Mitcham is a fantastic pure scorer who's awesome in transition. Anyone know if I'm getting accurate information?

Severin will - and should - get time at both spots. She's a stud.

Later in the season, Brandenburg will get some PT at the 5, too.

[quote="SMUFan"]I've been told Alicia Mitcham is a fantastic pure scorer who's awesome in transition. Anyone know if I'm getting accurate information?[/quote]

You're exaggerating.

I don't know - I think Mitcham is supposed to be really athletic and very fast in transition.

[quote="Silk"]I don't know - I think Mitcham is supposed to be really athletic and very fast in transition.[/quote]

I didnt say she wasnt athletic, I said he was exaggerating. If you go back to his post and substitute the word "good" in place of "Fantastic" and "Awesome" then you get a little closer to the truth.

Silk wrote:I don't know - I think Mitcham is supposed to be really athletic and very fast in transition.

Thanks dad?

Ha - no, I've never seen her play and I'm definitely not family.
I just love watching the Ponies play, and have asked some Dallas friends who know people who have seen her, either in HS or in pickup games at SMU. Don't know how accurate my reports are, but I'm just passing along what I've been told: Christine Elliott is going to dominate some games - yes, a few folks have used that word for a freshman - and Mitcham is supposed to be very fast and athletic and a good scorer.
Maybe my info is inaccurate, but it's encouraging, if nothing else.